Crossword Genius

Bond worked over weakling — not the first (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

linkage

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'bond' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for linkage that I've seen before include "where the join is" , "System of connections" , "Connection, coupling" , "Part of mechanism" , "Leaking (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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